American Wildlife at Increased Risk of Extinction
The Florida panther remains one of the most endangered species in America
Room for alarm
A report published by the National Wildlife Federation, the American Fisheries Society, and The Wildlife Society reveals alarming numbers: One-third of America’s wildlife species are facing an increased risk of extinction.
American wildlife is in crisis. Fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates are all at risk of extinction in the coming years. This means that if we don’t act now, we may be robbing our children and grandchildren from the great outdoors we used to enjoy so much. We owe it to them, to do what we can and prevent these species from vanishing from the earth.
Recovering wildlife is a win-win-win: strengthening our economy, improving public health, and making communities more resilient. We just need the political will to make it happen.
Dwindling fish populations are putting other species at risk.
About one-third of America’s best-known species groups, birds, mammals and butterflies are imperiled or vulnerable. These figures paint a stark picture of the overall condition of America’s extraordinary wildlife diversity. Or what is left of it.
Among the findings in Reversing America’s Wildlife Crisis: Securing the Future of Our Fish and Wildlife:
- One-third of America’s wildlife species are at increased risk of extinction.
- More than 150 U.S. species already have gone extinct.
- Nearly 500 additional species have not been seen in recent decades and are regarded as possibly extinct.
- Approximately 40 percent of the nation’s freshwater fish species are now rare or imperiled.
- Seventy percent of North America’s freshwater mussels are imperiled or already extinct.
- Pollinator populations are dropping precipitously. Monarch butterfly populations in the eastern U.S., have dwindled by 90 percent over the past two decades.
- Thirty percent of North America’s bat species have seen significant declines over the past two decades
- Amphibians are disappearing from their known habitats at a rate of 4 percent each year.
Monarch butterflies are losing ground in the eastern U.S.
We can still turn the tide
Wildlife in America needs immediate help if we wish our children to enjoy nature as we once did. Species are at increased risk in all regions of the country and across all categories of wildlife. But this doesn’t mean we can’t make things better. Wildlife professionals in every state have action plans ready to go to conserve all wildlife for future generations, the biggest problem remains to fund these programs that can save lives.
We partner with environmental organizations such as American Forests who do an amazing job reforesting America, restoring lost habitats, making sure fresh water stays clean, and more. American Forests is the oldest American environmental organization with roots stretching all the way back to the year 1875. Making it a leader in creating healthy and resilient forests across the country so people and wildlife thrive.
To see more from our new American Forests collection please click here.
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